Manipur Governor urges amicable solution through dialogue

IMPHAL, November 21: Manipur Governor Dr. Najma A Heptulla and the Chief Minister O Ibobi on Monday appealed to every section of people in the State to come forward to bring amicable solution through dialogue. The appeals of the two dignitaries were conveyed through respective speeches during the colourful inaugural function of the Manipur Sangai festival 2016 at the well designed Bhagyachandra Open Air Theatre at Hafta Kangjeibung in Imphal this evening. Addressing the gathering, Manipur Governor Dr. Najma A Heptulla said she wants to develop Manipur as one of the best state in North East India. For this, she said everyone needs to participate in promoting tourism in the State. “I appeal to those who are with us and also those who are not with us to join together (to achieve the goal) by stopping the boycott as dialogue is the better platform for resolving the problems,” she said. In his speech, chief minister O Ibobi said the move to showcase Manipur as a disturbed land in front of the others is very unfortunate. Stating that satisfaction or dissatisfaction will always be there, he however, said such difference could be be resolved through dialogue. He called upon the Meitei in valley, Kukis and Nagas in hills to join hands for the development process. Stating that Manipur is marching ahead in diverse fields, he said many had admired the Manipur’s reform in power sector in the recently concluded power summit in the country. Ambassador Kenji Hiramatsu of Japan Embassy, Chief Minister of Myanmar’s Chin state U Salai Luai and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who were the special guest and guests of honour of the opening function, also spoke on the occasion. The 10-day Manipur Sangai festival was organised by the State tourism department to showcase the uniqueness of the shy and gentle brow-antlered deer popularly known as Sangai which is found only in Manipur at the floating Keibul Lamjao National Park in Loktak Lake and to promote Manipur as a world class tourism destination. The main attraction of the festival this time includes international polo tournament from tomorrow, Asian theatre festival, international film festival, a series of cultural shows and other eco-tourism activities etc. Sangai Festival to promote ‘Destination Manipur’ With an aim to promote Manipur as a potential tourist destination, the annual Manipur Sangai Festival this year will be themed ‘Destination Manipur’. The 10-day-festival that begins today, seeks to showcase the best of what the state has to offer in terms of art, culture, handloom, handicrafts as well as fine arts. The event will also bring to the fore both indigenous and adventure sports from the region, its cuisines and music, besides the scenic beauty of the land and the ethnic diversity of Manipur Society. “Although many editions of the Festival have been celebrated over the past few years, the Tourism Festival has been renamed as the Manipur Sangai Festival since the 2010 edition,” organisers said. The renaming was done to “showcase the uniqueness of the shy and gentle Brow-Antlered Deer, popularly known as the Sangai Deer”. The animal is found only in Manipur at the floating Keibul Lamjao National Park in Loktak Lake. The event will also see participation by different Indian states, foreign traders and cultural troupes, besides a wide range of shows from fashion to rock music, along with activities like boat race and other water sports at Loktak. Set to continue till November 30, it will be inaugurated by Okram Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur.